Harassment | Pub 'banter' and jokes with co-workers deemed 'sexual harassment'

Office comradery is an important part of the workplace ecosystem. Not only does it create a more pleasant working environment, but it also perpetuates a culture of collaboration and support.

However, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, so-called ‘pub banter and jokes with colleagues’ can swiftly veer into sexual harassment – even if this is unintended.

The commission outlined concerns in a report to 400 major companies which stated that unwanted jokes and even facial expressions can amount to unacceptable behaviour – regardless of how they were intended. This ‘unwanted contact’ can also include office pranks, social media contact and mimicry, according to the report.

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Spearheaded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Chair, Rebecca Hilsenrath, the widely-shared report was drafted in the wake of the #MeToo movement, and was designed to emphasise how essential it is to ensure that staff can come to work without fear of being harassed or abused by their colleagues. Companies are advised to follow a series of steps and technical guidance which the EHRC hopes will eventually 'become statutory guidance enforceable by law'.